Ep. 193, Rob Hamill, The Cruising Kiwis
Rob and his family, aka The Cruising Kiwis, bought their 43ft catamaran, Javelot, with minimal sailing experience to retrace the tragic sailing trip of Rob's eldest brother, Kerry, who was captured and executed by the Kmer Rouge in Cambodia in 1978. When we spoke, they were in the Maldives, having just visited Thailand, and making progress on their circumnavigation.
We talk about catamaran sailing, Cambodia, Angkor Wat, cruising SE Asia, their route across the Indian Ocean, lightning strikes, home schooling / no schooling, shallow-water blackouts, freediving safety, sharks, favorite things from each conutry visited, the importance of overcoming fear, and more.
Ep. 192, John Ensley, Cruise-N-Learn Sailing International
John spends his summers sailing in Puget Sound, and the winters in La Paz, Mexico. He is the owner, founder, and sailing director of Cruise-n-Learn Sailing International.
We talk about learning to sail, La Paz, Mexico, live-aboard sail training, reefing, asymmetrical spinnakers, anchors, electronics, Starlink, heaters, the school boat fleet in La Paz, catamarans, safety protocols, PFD's, jacklines, tethers, harnesses, falling off the boat while at anchor, favorite places, the Pacific Northwest, bucket-list destinations, the art of sail trim, and more.
Ep. 191, Tips for Cruising and Living Aboard
After making a life for myself cruising, sailing offshore, and living aboard full time, I share tips and lessons I've learned along the way. I talk about ways to prepare for this lifestyle and how to enjoy it once out on the water, living in a sailboat. I also talk about sailing education, safety, getting used to the water, the importance of water sports, yoga and meditation, books, culture, freediving, maintenance, having a mission, being flexible, sobriety, and much more.
Ep. 190, Brian Dale, Cruising as a Nomadic Musician
Brian is a solo sailor on a Hughes 38, currently in Georgetown, The Bahamas. He supports his cruising by playing the guitar and singing, sometimes putting on dinghy concerts from his boat in the anchorage.
We talk about anchoring and the new mooring balls in Georgetown, sailing from Lake Huron to The Bahamas, sailing with a tiny fuel tank, losing a dinghy, the Dominican Republic, his boat, reefing, autopilots, Cape Horn windvane, spinnakers, anchors, sailing on and off anchor, dinghy concerts, bucket-list destinations, Costa Rica, learning to sail, the love of sailing, solo passages, sleeping on a boat, dragging anchor, lithium batteries, solar panels, Starlink, and more!
If you'd like to bring Brian his sail, from the US to The Bahamas, his email is
acousticgoodguy@hotmail.com
Ep. 189, Expeditions to Antarctica, Michael Brooks
Michael Brooks of Expedition Sailing has been taking clients on skiing and climbing expeditions from South America to Antarctica.
We talk about sailing to Antarctica, picking the right weather window, steel boats, their maintenance, pros and cons; Michael's dream boat, running expeditions in Antarctica, Antarctica politics, anchoring/mooring in Antarctica, Ice and icebergs, dressing for the cold, features that make a boat comfortable in high latitudes, wildlife in Antarctica, a survival situation at sea, using a windvane autopilot and an electronic autopilot to steer when running downwind in storm conditions, heaving-to, overwintering in the Arctic, polar bears, and more!
book mentioned during the interview
Ep. 188, Four Years and 35 Countries with Helen Shrewsbury
Helen recently completed a four-year journey from the UK to New Zealand and visited 35 countries along the way. We talk about her boat, the journey, some of her favorite countries, The Gambia, sailing under the bridge on The Gambia River with only inches to spare, hippos, the people and culture, anchoring, her electrical and solar systems, and much more.
Ep. 187, Tapio Lehtinen, from the Last Stop of the Ocean Globe Race
Tapio Lehtinen was in the port of Punta del Este, Uruguay, during the last stop of the Ocean Globe Race, a re-creation of the Whitbread Round the World Race, when we spoke. He was sailing on Galiana With Secure, a 1970 S&S 55 yawl with a young crew of Finnish sailors.
We talk about the boat, sailing from the last stop in New Zeland to Uruguay, going around Cape Horn, birds of the Southern Ocean, other wildlife, safety, a typical day for Tapio during the race, the crew, comparing Galiana to modern boats, and much more.
Ep. 186, Dismasting in the Global Solo Challenge, Ronnie Simpson
Ronnie Simpson was racing solo around the world in an Open 50 when he dismasted soon after rounding Cape Horn, and with a storm approaching with forecasted 70-knot wind and 30' seas. We discuss the events leading up to the dismasting, making the decision to call for rescue, as well as the race, details about sailing a thirty-year-old open 50 in an around-the-world race, rounding the three great capes, sleeping, the beauty of sailing in the Southern Ocean, fears, emotions, and Ronnie's future plans of a Vendee Globe campaign.
Ep. 185, Panama to Mexico with Brendan and Chanell Moore
Brendan and Chanell recently sailed their Bruce Roberts 36 from Bocas del Toro, Panama, to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, in late December, saw some dificult weather and had to adapt their plans. We also talk about the passage, the boat they bought in Florida, a 1985 Noresman 447 designed by Robert Perry, Panama, Tobobe, the Ngobe Indians, Starlink, pirates, foul weather, trouble with the windvane, superstitions, customs, Mexico, the ICW, creature comforts,
Ep.184, Understanding Boat Statistics, Panama Update 2/2024
In this episode, I talk about the Global Solo Challenge and the boats in the race, focusing on sailboat data and how that affects a sailboat's performance. I also talk about what I've been up to, components on my boat that I like or dislike, angry local surfers, theft in Panama, seasickness, my electrical system upgrade to a lithium battery, and more.
Ep. 183, Extended Cruising with Children, Suzanne Heywood, Author of Wavewalker
When Suzanne was 7 years old, she set sail from Plymouth, England, on the schooner Wavewalker with her parents and brother. Their trip, which was recreating Captain Cook's third voyage around the world, was supposed to last for three years but ended up taking a decade. Along the way they were shipwrecked in the Indian Ocean and, as she grew older, Suzanne had to fight to gain an education and return home. Her international bestselling book 'Wavewalker' tells the story of that voyage.
We talk all about not only the journey, but also the book, and most importantly, issues a family should consider before planning an exrtended voyage with children.
Ep 182, Cruising a Trailerable Trimaran with Tom and Kelsey Bohanon
Tom and Kelsey live in Colorado and cruise and race in a 28' Corsair trimaran. I met the in the Ragged Islands, The Bahamas. They also raced the trimaran in the Race to Alaska. We talk about The Bahamas, Greenland, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, foul-weather gear, spearfishing, sharks, the Race to Alaska, human propulsion systems, restoring an aluminum boat, cruising in British Columbia and the Sea of Cortez, and more!
Ep. 181, Webb Chiles, Going Beyond the Limits of Human Experience
Headshot by Steve Earley
Webb Chiles is a solo sailor and author. He has circumnavigated six times, was the first American to sail solo around Cape Horn during which he broke Chichester's record, nearly circumnavigated in an open boat - an 18' Drascombe Lugger, and most recently circumnavigated on a Moore 24. His mission in life has been, as he says, "to go beyond the limits of human experience and sends back reports." He is the author of "Storm Passage," "Open Boat Across the Pacific," "The Ocean Waits," "A Single Wave," "The Fifth Circle," "Shadows," as well as many articles and poems. We talk about his sailing adventures and phiosophies, and discuss passages I highlighted in his book "Storm Passage," which I read (for the second time) before the interview. Webb is truly a legend among sailors, as well as a fascinating character and a great speaker.
Ep. 180, Schooner Sailing with Seth Bird
Seth Bird sails a steel schooner and has worked on commercial vessels for over 20 years, ranging from the USCG and NOAA to oil field support vessels and tall ships. We talk about tall ships, marlinspike seamanship, lessons we can learn from commercial shipping, communications, talking to commercial ships on the VHF radio, AIS, steel boats, sailing a schooner, sailing without winches, raising the anchor without a windlass, anchors and anchoring, sailing with kids, and more!
Ep.179, Unfinished Business with Guy deBoer
Guy deBoer, who crashed on a reef in the 2022 GGR, is planning on sailing around the world in the spirit of the 2022 Golden Globe Race, but on his own, and in 2024. We talk about lessons learned from the 2022 race, repairing his boat, how he has it set up, reefing, downwind sail trim and sailplans, tiller vs wheel, windvanes, and lots more.
Ep. 178, Tapio Lehtinen in the Ocean Globe Race
I spoke with Tapio during his stopover in Auckland, NZ, during the Ocean Globe Race. We talk about the race, his boat (a Swam 55 yawl), sails, the sinking of Asteria in the 2022 GGR, being rescued by Kirsten, Galiana's crew, crossing the equator, looking forward to Cape Horn, the decreasing wildlife in the oceans, and more.
Ep. 177, Aluminum High-Latitude Boats with Jelle Engel of KM Yachtbuilders
Jelle Engel works for KM Yachtbuilders in sustainability development and sales and is a design manager. He supported the team to develop the Bestevaer 36 and 42, working closely with Dykstra Naval Architects. We talk abvout sailing to Greenland and Iceland, weather forecasting, ice, lifting keels, freezing into the ice, ballast in lifting-keel boats, aluminum boat advantages and disadvantages, owning and maintaining an aluminum boat, features of high-latitude boats, protecting rudders from ice, sustainability in yacht building, electric engines, generators, sailing in uninhabited places, and much more!
Stadship 56, built by KM Yachtbuilders
Ep. 176, Sailing in the Pacific Northwest with Tim Whelan
Tim Whelan sails a Cape George 38 out of Seattle. We talk about sailing in the Pacific Northwest, sailing solo, sleeping while solo, sailing full-keel boats, backing up in marinas, building a wooden dinghy, autopilots, reefing, eliminating friction in raising the main, anchoring, books, Hydrovanes, preventers, circumnavigating Vancouver Island, dealing with fear, destinations, wildlife, and more!
Ep. 174, Erick and Jenny VanMalssen in the South Pacific
Erick and Jenny recently sailed from Panama to the South Pacific. We talk about preparing for the Pacific crossings, their Hydrovane, their Tides Marine sailtrack, new sails, Panama, spearfishing, their Downeast 38, Panama to the Galapagos, boobies (and other birds), The Galapagos, sea lions, Galapagos to Fatu Hiva, rough seas, fishing, dealing with fear and anxiety, safety, watch schedules, tethers and jacklines, rules, clearing in in the Marquesas, anchoring, floating the chain, diving, sharks, surfing, power, water, Starlink, and more!
Ep. 173, Guy Waites, GGR 2022
Guy Waites sailed around the world in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. He had to stop in Cape Town to scrape barnacles, then had to stop at Hobart after losing his liferaft in a knockdown, but he persevered and completed the solo circumnavigation. We talk about preparing for the race, gooseneck barnacles, full-keel boats vs modern designs, his boat - a Tradewind 35, sails, downwind sailplans, 2-line reefing, safety, being knocked down, keeping a clear head in storm conditions, rounding Cape Horn, enjoying solitude, mental challenges, towing warps, albatross, future sailing plans, sailing a class 40, and more!
Ep. 172, Jeremy Bagshaw, GGR 2022
Jeremy Bagshaw was one of the few finishers of the 2022 Golden Globe Race, taking second in the Chichester class, sailing around the world via the great capes, stopping only once in Hobart to deal with a barnacle infestation, and spending 277 days at sea. We talk about the race, why we love full-keel boats, perseverance, solitude, safety, foul-weather gear, reefing, downwind sail configurations, his Windpilot, dual mainsheets, bottompaint (coppercoat), communications, books, southern right whale dolphins, beautiful moments and difficulties, using math to control emotions, and much more!
Tapio Lehtinen, Kirsten Neuschafer, and Jermy Bagshaw (L to R)
gooseneck barnacles
Jeremy's Fallmouth Cutter
Ep. 171, My Opinions on Offshore Sailboats and Sailing Goals
In this episode, I talk about setting sailing goals, selecting the right kind of boat, my opinions regarding features of a good offshore sailboat, my boat, how I reef, what I love about sailing, and where I've been in the last four years.
Windflower, my Cartwright 40
Westsail 32
Garcia Exploration 45
Ep. 170, Captain Ky the Sea Glass Guy
I met Kyle at Escudo de Veraguas, an island about 20nm east of Bocas del Toro, Panama. We talk about the island, sailing in the Caribbean, dinghies, learning to sail, his Ta Yang 50 Flying Dutchman, buying the boat, mishaps and chaos, being struck by lightning, losing the propshaft and almost sinking, tacking upwind to Aruba, water in the foam core, near-death experiences, books, teak decks, and much more! The interview continues with us talking about his sea glass business on my other podcast "Dream Chasers and Eccentrics."
Ep 169, Josh Axler, GGR 2026
Josh Axler will be sailing in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. We talk about racing boats both fast and slow, carbon fiber vs fiberglass and steel in boat construction, racing a Gunboat, why he wants to do the Golden Globe Race, books, managing Elliot Smith's 2022 GGR campaign, the NOR, solitude, selecting his boat for the race - an Endurance 35, sailing a ketch, getting the boat ready for the race, setting the boat up for singlehanding, long passages, instant coffee, writing, a favorite sailing memory, a scary sailing memory, sailing alone in fog, and much more!
Ep. 168, The Mini Transat with PGN Ocean Racing
Peter Gibbons-Neff is currently racing in the Mini Transat. We talk about the Canary Islands, Starlink, sailing a Mini, sleep, AIS, camaraderie with other racers, buying the boat, silimarities and differences to cruising, hand steering and autopilot, power generation, the value of an MP3 player, swimming, risk management, wildlife, orcas, casualties, fixing things, difficult moments, favorite moments, US Patriot Sailing, future cruising and racing, dragging anchor in Panama, cruising the Caribbean in a mini, and much more!
Ep. 166, Circumnavigating with Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel took off from Norway to circumnavigate without any experience and made it happen. He has since signed up for the 2026 Golden Globe Race and bought an OE 32. We talk about his circumnavigation, the Caribbean, spearfishing in the San Blas islands, the South Pacific, Micronesia, the Philipines, Borneo, radar, Madagascar, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, anchors, the Golden Globe Race, books, Hydrovanes, downwind sailing, heavy weather, safety, reefing, and much more.
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Ep. 167, Embracing Fear as if it were Joy with The Dangerz
Bryan and Jen are chasing their dreams in the South Pacific on their Catana Bali 4.0. We talk about French Polynesia, their catamaran, catamarans vs monohulls, teaching themselves to sail, escaping the drudgery of society, an unforcasted cyclonic even, repairing two saildrive shafts while at a remote atoll, maintaining optimism in trying times, floating the anchor in an atoll, other anchoring issues, happiness, fear, freedom, making decisions as a couple, favorite places, and much more!
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Ep. 166, Ronnie Simpson, Pre Global Solo Challenge
Ronnie is preparing for the start of the Global Solo Challenge, and will be sailing around the world in his Open 50 "Shipyard Brewing." We talk about crossing the Atlantic, Nova Scotia, going up the mast, sailing his open 50 on different points of sail, killer whales, rigging, bottom paint, the Global Solo Challenge, communications, foul-weather gear, heavy weather, future plans, his new girlfriend, and much more!
Ep. 165, Chasing the Dream with Olivia Owens Wyatt
Olivia fell in love with sailing, learned fast, and took off, sailing solo on her Panda 34, and is currently in the South Pacific. We talk about getting started, courses, books, learning to sail, her first storm, dealing with fear, spirituality, her boat, removing the leaking teak deck, bedding compounds, the GGR, losing the engine, hydrovanes, writing, meeting people, solo sailing, self-reliance, safety, lines and reefing, making deals with God, and much more!
Ep. 164, Tales from the Marina, Merrill Charette
Merrill lives on his Tashiba 36 in a Marina in Boston and runs the business Shipshape, which connects marine contractors and boat owners. We talk about the pros and cons of living in a marina, marina pirates, dating while living in a marina, drunks falling off docks, dinghies, through-hiking the Appalachian Trail, making 1000 origami cranes, shopping for a boat, Shipshape, sailing destinations in New England and Boston, Nova Scotia, Panama, hunting for lost planes in The Bahamas, treasure hunting, writing, running over a red nun buoy in a catamaran, and more!
Ep. 163, The Adventures of Olivier Hendrix
Olivier Hendrix is a long-time offshore sailor and the develper of iNav4U. We talk about sailing in the Mediterranean and Patagonia, storm training in the North Sea in the Winter, going overboard while tethered to the mast, staying warm in the North Sea, iNav4U, and much more.
Caleta Breaknock SW Patagonia
Patagonia 2012
Ep. 161 and 162, Steve Alexander, Perseverance and Misadventure
Steve was recently sailing from Bermuda to the Azores when he had a series of misfortunes, including losing the swing keel, backstay failure, and autopilot failure, leaving him undercanvassed and forced to steer when awake, and hove-to when sleeping, for about three weeks. We also talk about his boat, a Brewer 12.8, his previous boat, a Hallberg Rassy Rasmus, designing a windsheild for his boat, losing the swing keel between the Bahamas and Bermuda, safety, perseverance, Starlink, PredictWind, sailing solo vs with crew, and more.
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Ep. 160, Bob Bitchin
Bob Bitchin is a sailor, a biker, an author of 11 books, and publisher of Latitudes and Attitudes magazine. We talk about sailing on other people's boats, anchoring on the Pacific side of Panama, fin-keel boats vs full-keel boats, eating rattlesnakes, working as a bodyguard for Evel Knievel, motorcycle clubs, similarities between biking and sailing, the brotherhood of sailors, ketches and sloops, sailing with Greenpeace on a suare-rigger, in-boom furling, Share the Sail charters, and much more.
1995 Bob on Lost Soul
2011 Bob & Jody sailing in the San Juan Islands
1996 Bob starting Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine
1972 Evel Knievel Los Angeles
1978 On the set of “Do It In The Dirt” With Frank Sinatra Jr.
2012 On the set, Son’s Of Anarchy Season 3
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1980 Nontron, France, European Outlaws meet to form ABATE of Europe
1980 The presidents, Vice presidents and wives of the European Outlaw community
Ep. 159, Simon Ytterbom, Victron Energy
Simon is the sales manager for North America for Victron Energy. We talk about lithium vs AGM batteries, alternator charging, DC/DC chargers, designing a solar array, starter batteries, the value of finding good information and asking questions, questions from Patreon patrons, high-output alternators, remote monitioring of your electrical system, expanding a solar array, sizing and inverter, and more.
Ep. 158, Ambre Hasson, Mini on the Rocks
Ambre was training for the 2023 Mini Transat and completing her qualifying 1000nm sail when she ran aground in an inlet in France and had to abandon ship. We talk about sailing a mini, lines and sail trim, safety, foul-weather gear, the wreck, future plans, and much more.
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Ep. 157, Jon Bilger, PredictWind
Jon is the founder of PredictWind, and a very accomplished sailor. We talk about sailing foiling boats, sailing in the Olympics, the Americas Cup, losing the mast in the Transpac, PredictWind, the data hub, weather routing, departure planning, and more.
Ep 156, Jerry Brisson, Sailing the Caribbean
Jerry spent the last two years exploring the Caribbean, visiting many islands in his Bristol 32. We talk about his refit, why he wanted a full-keel boat, stopping leaks, windvanes, weather, Dominica, Puerto Rico, St Croix, Mona Island, san Salvador, storm anchors, anchoring in currents,
Ep. 152, Morgan Cole, Sailing Safar
Morgan Cole sails a Saltram Saga 36, was a boatbuilder, and was involved in Susie Goodall's refit of her 2018 GGR Boat. We talk about sailing full-keel boats, heavy weather, docking, Susie's refit, sailplans, tacking, downwind sail combinations, and much more.
Ep. 151, Allan Pottasch, Sailing and Climbing
Alan is a sailor that I met here in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We talk about his catamaran, sailing in the Western Caribbean, catamarans vs monohulls, rock climbing and its similarities to sailing, and much more.
Ep. 150, Questions from Patrons
I answer questions from my patrons (those who support through Patreon) including my experiences on different boats, how much money I spend, my tool collection, what gear I would have if I could afford it, calculating a power budget, where I get ideas for fictional stories and books, singlehanding, and reefing.
Ep. 149, Helacious, Norway to Nova Scotia via the Caribbean
Brian and Helen have been sailing their custom Dudley Dix aluminum cutter, which Brian built, all over the Atlantic. Last summer, they were in Norway, and are now in Nova Scotia. We talk all about their journeys, also tying up to a fishing boat, the Atlantic circuit, killer whales, Newfoundland, Panama, lightning, deck details, owning and sailing an aluminum boat, anchoring, fishing in Canada, heaters, books, and much more.
Brian and Helen Russell
Norway
every sailor's friend
Madeira
Ep. 148, Legendary Sailboat Designer Robert Perry
Robert Perry talks about design elements, his newest designs - Francis Lee and the Carbon Cutter, sea chests, new Pacific Seacraft designs, the GGR, cutter vs ketch, furling booms, feathering props, Tayana 47, Perry Rendezvous, books, and more.
Dr. Aronson is a Professor and department head of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences at Florida Institute of Technology. We talk about Bocas del Toro, science, climate change and its effects on marine ecosystems, coral bleaching, coral diseases, sea-level rise, hurricanes,
Ep. 147, Marine Scientist Dr Richard Aronson
Ep. 146, Marine Electrician Owen Murphy
I met Owen in St Augustine when I was fitting out Windflower when he and another electrician came by to give me advice. We talk about his Pacific Seacraft 34, how he became a full-time cruising sailor, batcar systems, reefing, solar power, lithium batteries, AIS, radar, wire management, alternators, wiring basics, avoiding wiring disasters, common wiring mistakes, lightning prevention, bonding, sacraficial metals, remote electrical support, troubleshooting and electrical system, the trippy magic of electricity, reincarnation, and much more.
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Ep. 145, Sailing with Five Kids, Motherload Sailing
MJ and Amy of Motherload Sailing are exploring the Caribbean with their 5 boys on their Bavaria 50. I met them in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We talk about Starlink, their passage here from the Bahamas, rudder failure, having kids on the boat, homeschooling, parenting strategies, parenting difficulties, safety, the Bahamas, running a YouTube channel, and more.
Amy Renae is a Bavaria 50
Ep. 144, At Least Nobody is Shooting at Us, Earl Engelmann
Earl has been sailing all his life, and relates some great stories, We talk about catamarans, losing a boat on a reef, foul weather in the Gulf Stream, powerboats, sailing with a family, different boats for different places, catamarans vs monohulls, crossing shallow water, maintaining a catamaran, common mistakes new sailors make, relationship dynamics when cruising, safety, weather
Ep. 143, Simon Curwen, Line Honors in the GGR
Simon Curwen recently was the first boat to cross the finish line in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, though he was relegated to the Chichester class for having to stop for repairs in Chile. During the interview, I tease out as much information as I can that cruising sailors might learn from. Since the GGR racers sail in classic cruising boats, they are a great source of information about what works on long passages in all kinds of conditions.
Clara is a 1976 Biscay 36 and is for sale
Sailing down the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne
Ep. 142, Living Aboard, Renald Guindon
Renald had been living aboard and sailing for over ten years and is a sales rep for St Francis Catamarans. We talk about living aboard, making the decision to live aboard, choosing a boat, common mistakes, sailing, anchoring, and much more.
Renald Guindon: renaldguindon@gmail.com
Ep. 141, Sailing Red Seas, Brioni and Iain
Brioni and Iain were sailing from Panama to French Polynesia. We talk about Starlink, sailing a catamaran, sailing in Scotland, dodging submarines, Cartagena, Colombia, failed antifouling, San Blass, Panama, customs, cultures, the Panama Canal, plans for French Polynesia, Wayfinder, and much more.
Ep. 140, On a Belt of Foaming Seas
Reading from the book I co-wrote with Tapio Lehtinen "On a Belt of Foaming Seas," about his 2018 Golden Globe Race campaign. In this chapter, Tapio is sailing alone in the Southern Ocean trying to get past the islands and shoals south of New Zealand during a gale.
Tapio's boat, Asteria
Ep. 139, Jaz Kaner, Sailor/Comedian
Jaz Kaner is a self-described recovering comedian who's performed with the likes of Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jim Carey, before finding a Morgan 30 sailboat. We talk about his recent sailing with Adventureman Dan, sharks, surfing at night, sailboats, anchors, spearfishing, books, comedy, and much more.
Ep. 138, Spear It Animal, Raf and Sascha
Raf and Sascha are fulfilling their dream of sailing around the world in their Beneteau Cyclades. We talk about refitting their boat, sailing in The Bahamas, spearfishing, and much more.
Ep. 137, Reading from "Sailing to "Newfoundland"
Reading from my latest book "Sailing to Newfoundland," starting with the chapter "Newfoundland!" in which I describe my arrival, and first week, in Newfoundland, at Cape La Hune Bay, an uninhabited fjord on the South Coast.
Deadmans Cove, on the day I arrived
Ep. 136, Bahamas Update
Discussing my time in the Bahamas, from the Abacos to Eleuthera, the Ragged Islands, and to Long Island, talking about the coral, sharks, anchoring, meeting friends, and more.
Ep. 135, David and Nathalie Houston, Catamaran Sailing
I met David and Nathalie in the Ragged Islands, and we quickly became friends. They sail an Outremer 50 catamaran, spearfish, and work smoothly as a team. We talk about catamaran sailing, spearfishing, sailing with children, sea lion invasions, getting along as a couple onboard, and much more.
Ep. 134, Tapio Lehtinen, the Sinking of Asteria
Southern Ocean after rounding the Cape of Good Hope. We talk about preparing for the race, windvanes, sail configurations, wildlife encounters, the sinking of his boat, the rescue, and his journey on the cargo ship Darya Gayatri.
Ep. 133, Elliott Smith, Post GGR
Elliott Smith recently competed in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, in which he sailed from France to Australia, solo, in a Kaiser Gale Force 34. His bowsprit broke near Cape Town, South Africa. He fixed it as best he could without assistance or going ashore (as the rules of the race demand) and continued. The bowsprit broke again in the Southern Ocean, and he retired from the race in Freemantle, Australia. We talk about things he learned in the race, navigating, wildlife, good times and hard times, and much more.
Ep. 132, How to Rescue a Duck in a Storm
I met Jack, along with his wife, 2 kids, a dog, and a duck, in The Bahamas. Along with some great stories, we talk about sailing a ketch, youtube channels, sailing to the Bahamas from NY, engine trouble, Sea Tow, staying calm, bad crew, the ICW, heaving-to, sailing off anchor, docking a full-keel boat, having kids onboard, home-schooling, and much more.
Ep. 131, Simon and Sally Currin, Maine to Providencia
I spoke with Simon and Sally while they were in Providencia, Colombia. We talk about there recent journey from Maine, stopping along the way down the US East Coast, to Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and to Provedencia. Among this and other things, we talk about their electric dinghy motor, Starlink, their lithium battery conversion, Panama, Costa Rica, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, autopilots, insurance, Tapio Lehtinen, The Bahamas, and their South Pacific plans.
Ep. 130, Pat Lawless, Windvane Failure in the GGR
Pat Lawless was racing in the GGR when his windvane self-steering failed and he was forced to retire in Cape Town. We talk about the race, his boat, Cape Town, Lanzarote, Dakar, and more.
Ep 129, The Panama Canal with Erick and Jenny VanMalssen
Erick and Jenny recently transited the Panama Canal in their Downeast 38, Windsong, en route to the Galapagos Islands and French Polynesia. We talk about the logistics of the canal, using an agent, line handlers, insurance, getting a long-stay visa for French Polynesia, the logistics of visiting the Galapagos, and much more.
Ep. 128, Christian Lobel, Saga 47 Swan
I met Christian in Hare Bay, a fjord in the uninhabited central south coast of Newfoundland, Canada. He continued on from there to the Azores and Europe. He runs Saga 47 Swan Sailing, an Offshore and Coastal Adventure Sailing business. We talk about his boat, his adventures, running a charter business, and more.
Ep 127, David Hows, Ocean Sailing Expeditions, Part 2
Ep. 126, David Hows, Ocean Sailing Expeditions, Part 1
David Hows is the host of the Ocean Sailing Podcast and owner of Ocean Sailing Expeditions. We talk about his adventures sailing in the southern hemisphere, his 72' steel cutter, the Sydney Hobart Race, running a sailing charter business, and much more.
Silver Fern
Ep. 125, Chris Stanmore-Major, Part 2
Ep. 124, Chris Stanmore-Major, Part 1
Sailing an open 60, heavy weather, sailing an 80' maxi, singlehanding big boats, Chris' podcasts "The Mariner" and "The Mariner's Library," approaching a new coast, cruising vs racing, The Global Solo Challenge, developing mental endurance, Cape Horn, favorite moments at sea, developing cold-water tolerance, and more!
Ep. 123, The Curse of Cortes, Guy Morris
Guy Morris is a sailor and an author. We talk about sailing around Los Angeles and Catalina, running aground, running a charter business, sinking at the dock, the pirate Henry Morgan and his lost treasure, Roatan, Mayan mythology, haunted caves, and his book, The Curse of Cortes.
Darjeeling, a Hans Christian 38
Ep 122, Sailing among the Polar Bears with Veronica Skotnes
Sailing in Norway, staying warm, learning to singlehand, whales, birds, polar bears, dressing for the cold, sailing a ketch, anchoring, ghost stories, photography, and more.
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Ep. 121, Hydrovane's Will and Sarah Curry
I bought my Hydrovane in 2020 and recently met Will Curry at the Annapolis Boat Show. Will is the Director of Sales and Sarah is the Direcrtor of Marketing for Hydrovane. We talk about moving onto a bigger boat, catamaran vs monohull sailing, the South Pacific, putting a Hydrovane on a catamaran, limitations and advantages of the Hydrovane, using a tiller pilot with the Hydrovane, orcas, the GGR, Elliot Smith, Damien Guillou, details about setting course with they Hydrovane, the importance of a whisker pole, downwind sailing, using the Hydrovane and an electronic AP at the same time, storm tactics, and more.
Ep. 120, Shipwrecked in the Canaries, Guy deBoer
Guy was racing in the 2022 Golden Globe Race until he fell asleep after being up for 30 hours and ended up on the rocks in the Canary Islands. We talk about the crash and its causes, his solo sail from the USA to France, the race, a near collision with a fishing boat, lessons learned from the race, radio communications, navigation, being alone, damage and repairs to his boat Spirit (a Tashiba 36), relationships with the other racers, who's going to win, future plans, and more.
Guy deBoer's boat, Spirit, a Tashiba 36, shipwrecked in the Canary Islands
Ep. 119, Adventures in Maritime Canada, Alan Creaser
I met Alan in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, in June of 2022. He sailed soon after to Sable Island and Newfoundland with John Kretschmer. We talk about sailing, radar, safety, fog, Sable Island, passage planning, reefing, marine traffic, a shipwreck he was involved in, commercial fishing, Lunenburg, Tapio Lehtinen's sinking ship, and much more.
John Kretschmer's boat Quetzal
landing on Sable Island
Alan Creaser and John Kretschmer
Sable Island horses
Ep. 118,Exploring the Fjords on the South Coast of Newfoundland, Paul Trammell talking to the NFCC
This is a talk I gave to the North Florida Cruising Club about my journey to Newfoundland. I talk about sailing, anchoring, fishing, and hiking in the south coast fjords, as well as the sail there and back to Florida.
Ep. 117, Peter Gibbons-Neff, Class Mini
Peter is preparing for the 2023 Mini Transat. We talk about the Class Mini, the Mini Transat, racing vs cruising, buying a mini, lithium batteries, autopilots, sleep, hallucinations, foul weather gear, taking notes to improve performance, weather, running rigging, Patriot Sailing, safety, helmets, training, orcas, and more.
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Ep. 116, Ronnie Simpson, Global
Solo Challenge
I met Ronnie at the Annapolis Boat Show. We talk about his Open 50, Sparrow; fears; the Southern Ocean; the Vendee Globe; the community of sailors; and much more
Sparrow, Ronnie's open 50, which he will sail solo, around the world, nonstop, in the Global Solo Challenge
Ep. 115, Matt Rutherford 2, Greenland
Matt took his Bruce Roberts 650 on her maiden voyage to Greenland last summer. We talk about research, robots, his boat, glaciers, fjords, climate change, creating a global fleet of sailing research vessels, the shakedown cruise to Greenland, heaters, his upcoming book, and much more.
Ep 114, Annapolis Boat Show
During my time at the Annapolis Boat Show, I interviewed many of the vendors of innovative products, some worthy non-profits, and one Global Solo Challenge racer.
Anchor Rescue from Scanmar
Altus rainjacket from JB Langley
Rainman watermakers
tankless dive system from Blu3
Ep. 113, William Croxford, Global Solo Challenge
William is an entrant in next year's Global Solo Challenge, a nonstop solo circumnavigation race. We talk about foul weather gear, safety, his Carroll Marine Frers 45, green energy, solar panels, batteries, hydrogen technology, the race, heavy weather, and more.
Ep. 112, LaMaurice Gardner, Global Solo Challenge
LaMaurice is the youngest entrant in the Global Solo Challenge, a solo circumnavigation race that starts next year. He will be sailing in his Caliber 33, a cruising sailboat. We talk about is sailing history, his boat, preparations for the race, goals, fears, safety, training, and more.
Ep. 111, Aaron Erwine, Guatemala, Roatan, San Blas
Ep. 110, Kiana Weltzien 2, Atlantic Crossing
Crossing the Atlantic in her Wharram Catamaran, heaving-to in heavy weather, The Azores, the Canary Islands, anchoring, customs, dancing all night, sheet-to-tiller self-steering, meeting Elliot Smith during his Golden Globe Race, chasing dreams, books, writing, finding motivation, an more!
Kiana with Elliot Smith in the background
crossing the Atlantic
Kiana talking to Elliot Smith in Lanzarote during his GGR campaign
Ep. 109, Ambre Hasson, Diving Headfirst into Sailing
Ambre's Bristol 29
Inside Ambre's boat
I discovered Ambre when she was helping GGR entrant Elliot Smith prepare for the race. We talk about learning to sail, cruising, the community of sailors. Ambre's Bristol 29, autopilots (or not), helping GGR skipper Elliot Smith, the Bahamas, her mini, the Mini Transat, and much more.
Ambre's Mini
Ep. 108, Ike Bartlett
Ike has family roots in the Newfoundland outport of Grand Bruit, which I visited this summer. We talk about Grenada, his Gulfstar 53, VHF radios, safety, taking boyscouts sailing, the abandonment of Newfoundland outports, the collapse of the cod fishery, Grand Bruit, relationships and personal growth from sailing, nomadic living, and more.
C&C 40
Gulfstar 53
Ep. 107, Canada Update 4
More fjords and anchorages along Newfoundland's south coast, shipwrecks around Isle Aux Morts, sailing south to Nova Scotia, and the Golden Globe Race
Allen Cove, Facheu Bay
Blow Me Down cliff
Isle Aux Morts
Devil Bay
Grand Bruit
caribou at Grand Bruit
Ep. 106, Elliot Smith, Golden Globe Race
I spoke with Elliot who was in La Sables D'Olonne, France, just two days before the start of the 2022 Golden Globe Race. We talk about his race preparations, his boat, his team, and much more.
Ep. 105, Adventureman Dan, Bahamas 2022
The Bahamas, the last refit of Adventurbourne, boat blisters, deck paint, Seawater Pro watermaker, lithium batteries, sprouting, sharks, spearfishing, and hurricanes.
Ep. 104, Tapio Lehtinen, GGR 2022
Tapio is preparing to sail around the world in the Golden Globe Race, which starts in September. He did the same race in 2018 and finished fifth, out of 18 starters and only five finishers. We talk about his boat, the race, dealing with difficulties and staying positive, wildlife encounters, his new windvane, bottom paint, and the book I co-wrote with him, Ari Pusa, and Barry Pickthall, "On a Belt of Foaming Seas," about the 2018 race.
Asteria passing the Canary Islands in the 2018 GGR
Asteria reefed down to the fourth reef
Tapio with Cape Horn barely visible in the background
Galiana, Tapio's Swan 55 to be sailed in the OGR in 2023
Ep. 103 Jonathan Fulford, Labrador and Newfoundland
Jonathan sails a Bristol Chanel Cutter and recently sailed to northern Labrador, and was circumnavigating Newfoundland when I interviewed him. We talk about his boat, safety, survival suits, finding anchorages in uncharted territory, sailing in Labrador and Newfoundland, whales, birds, fishing, and more.
Ep. 102, Canada Update 3, Newfoundland
In this second update from Newfoundland, I discuss anchorages in the Bay d'Espoir, hiking, fishing, fake waterfalls, getting a fishing license, new anchoring techniques, falling rocks, swarms of hungry bloodsucking bugs, and I answer questions from Patreon patrons.
Windflower at Cul de Sac
The site of the abandoned outport at Great Jervis Harbor
lines of the stern at Cul de Sac
a fake waterfall
a real waterfall
Ep. 101, Phillip Sax, The Channels of Southern Chile
Phillip Sax spent a year sailing in and exploring the islands and channels in and around the Beagle Channel and the Straits of Magellan, in Southern Chile. We talk about his experiences there, navigating, anchoring, sailing, fishing, etc. At the end, we also talk about The Bahamas, which I am always happy to do!
Ness, a modified Tahiti Ketch
the manual windlass
Planning for my passage from The Bahamas to St Augustine Florida, including stowing the dinghy on deck, preparing the boat for passage, my go-bag, weather, navigation, and sleep.
Chile
Ep. 100, Canada Update 2, Newfoundland!
Discussing my time in Nova Scotia, from Lunenberg through the Bras d'Or Lake, and Newfoundland, particularly the fjords on the south coast.
Deadmans Cove, La Hune Bay
Deadmans Cove, La Hune Bay
Dollard Brook, with moose
Sandy Point, in Hare Bay, West Arm
Hare Bay, East Arm looking South
Entering Cape La Hune Bay in the fog
Windflower in Aviron Bay, looking West
Windflower in Aviron Bay, looking East
Francois
Fishing boats in Hermitage
Ep 99, Canada Update 1
A documentation of my journey from Snow Island, Maine, to Tenants Harbor; to Rockland; to Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada; to Rogues Roost, and my first stop in the 100 wild Islands - Wolfes Island.
the Zwicker dock, Lunenberg
Quetzal, John Kretschmer's boat
Lunenberg
Rogues Roost
Windflower at Rogues Roost
fishing boat at Wolfes Island
Ep. 98, Capt. Phil Watson of the
Bluenose II
The Bluenose II is a 161' schooner based out of Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada, and is a replica of the original Bluenose, a Grand Banks fishing and racing schooner, and possibly the most iconic boat in North America. We talk about the boat's history, construction, operation, and passages. We also talk about the crew, how they get the positions, what skills they develop, and what their lives are like, and much more.
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Ep. 96 and 97, The Wayward Travelers 3
Roan and Karrie have completed their Bahamas season, and thus wrapped up their sailing adventure, which was one of many. We talk about The Bahamas, Georgetown, fishing, food, culture, unforgetable experiences, and much more.
the Hopetown Lighthouse
Hatchet Bay Cave
Jam session at Georgetown
SV Wayward Winds
Emmette of Hatchet Bay
Snappy the turtle
Ep. 95, Guy DeBoer 3
In this third interview with Guy DeBoer, we talk about his preparations for the 2022 Golden Globe Race, covering topics like boat preparation, spinnaker poles, electrical generation, sails, food, books, safety, the other competitors, and much more.
Spirit, a Tashiba 36
Ep. 94, Florida to Maine
I just arrived in Maine after my longest solo passage yet, 1200nm, 9 days, St Augustine, Florida to Snow Island, Maine. Here, I talk about the passage, preparation for the passage, some things I learned along the way, the good times and the hard times, and where I'm going next.
Royal Robbins jacket, Hydrovane self-steering windvane
my new spinnaker pole
Full moon sailing
Mahi!
This is how I spend most of my time
Snow Island, Maine
Ep 93, Shawna Reed, Giving up Life on Land and Becoming a First Mate
Having no previous sailing experience, Shawna moved onto a 35' sailboat with her partner, gave up her land-based life, and sailed away to the Caribbean. We talk about sacrifices, learning to sail, dealing with fear, cutting ties to land, family, career, experiencing new cultures, making new friends, staying clean, getting along with each other, and more.
Ep. 92, Alex Teeft, Nova Scotia
Alex is a sailor and boat-builder who lives near the 100 Wild Islands Wilderness of Nova Scotia, Canada. We talk about sailing in Nova Scotia, fishing, the climate, the cruising season, surfing, wildlife, bugs, fog, dealing with the cold, the Bras d'Or Lake, and more.
Ep. 91, Nini Champion and Lisa Roland
Nini and Lisa are preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean in a 27' rowboat in the 2022 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. We talk about their mission, motivation, the boat, food, water, getting past fear, their training, the team, wildlife risks, and much more.
Nini Champion
Lisa Roland
The boat they intend to buy
Ep. 90, Dr. Dustin Welbourne Part 2
Ep. 89, Dr. Dustin Welbourne, Ecology for Cruising Sailors
Dr Welbourne is both scientist and cruising sailor. We talk about solar panels, lithium batteries, camera traps, sharks, bearded fire worms, The Bahamas, coral reef ecology, sea-level rise, and more. This is part one, part 2 comes out next week.
Ep. 87 and 88, John Kretschmer, Author and Offshore Sailing Guru
John Kretschmer is the author of 7 sailing nonfiction books and is the host of serious offshore training passages and bluewater sailing workshops. We talk about sailing in the Caribbean, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, bugs, bears, the Golden globe Race, his boat Quetzal - a Kaufman 47, offshore sailboat design, keels, rudders, reefing, staysails, safety, celestial navigation, books, writing,and much more.
Ep. 86, Kiana Weltzien, Solo Sailing a Wharram Catamaran
Kiana is an incredibly brave and competent young woman who sails solo aboard a 1971 Wharram Catamaran. We talk about developing the dream to sail away, learning to sail, finding her boat, sailing across the Caribbean Sea, sailing across the Atlantic, avoiding hurricanes, microplastics, bravery, the benefits of a Wharram, and much more.
Mara Noka
